All eyes are on a group of 13 energetic young men as they stride into the room in their matching mustard linen pants, black polo neck shirts and gold chains dangling from their necks.
Then all hell breaks loose and women start ululating when the members of the Abathandwa Music Group dish out one song after the other, acapella, including Mzansi’s favourite, Ehhe Moya Wami.
To the older generation, they seem more like a young version of multi- Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Just like Mambazo, the group’s singing is in sync and very smooth, but this is where the similarities end.
When it comes to the moves, their agility on the floor has members of the younger generation mesmerised as they twist and turn to the music.
The men, whose ages range from 18 to 25, started singing in 2009 in uMlazi, Durban, while some were still in primary school.
Their venture was a form of escapism from the poverty and hardship they experienced in the township.
At times when they felt down, they used their love of music to lift them up and it took what they believed was a calling from God to keep the faith when the going was tough, said group leader Percy Nyawo.
Nyawo said theirs is an amazing story - he talks of “magic”, because they can’t recall when the transition came from singing for fun to becoming a popular household name.
“To this day, we still can’t pinpoint what kept us pushing, even through the challenges.
“I mean, post-matric, we had no plan or any income to support our homes, but something inspired us to keep pushing through the passion.
“But that still doesn’t make sense to youngsters like us,” he said.
Then the group approached gospel singer Sfiso Ncwane, who has since died, for mentorship under Ncwane Communications, which entailed them going to Cape Town.
The risk paid off for Abathandwa and they were able to release an album last year, which saw their popularity rise in the Durban market.
“The years of rehearsals with no clear breakthrough were a practice run for us. We were unknowingly gearing up for this time and phase of our careers.
“Although it was hard, working towards something you don’t see, God’s plan was greater in our lives,” said Mfundo Mthethwa.
According to Nyawo, after the death of Ncwane, his wife Ayanda Ncwane took over the group and turned their dreams into reality.
“That’s when our patience, prayers and persistence started to bear fruit.
“The aim now is to introduce a new sound and style of gospel.
“Our long-term goal is to dominate the entire world and become global citizens.”
However, for now, the focus for the Abathandwa Music Group is on next Sunday’s SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards, to be held at the Durban ICC.
“We have made history by being the first a cappella group to be nominated in the main award category, which is song of the year and we have done it with Ehhe Moya Wami.
The group has also been nominated for best a cappella, best video and best group.
The Sunday Independent